• ​​​​Administrative Sign Policy
• BAR Policies for Administrative Approval in Historic Districts
• BAR Policy for Administrative Approval of Gas Meters
• Design Guidelines for the Old & Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray Districts
• Window Workshop

Preservation staff is currently working to create updated Design Guidelines for the Parker-Gray District. Individual chapters will be posted here as they are adopted by the Board of Architectural Review. It is anticipated that the Parker-Gray District Design Guidelines will replace the Parker-Gray Residential Reference Guide (RRG) once every chapter has been adopted.

• Parker-Gray Residential Reference Guide (RRG) 
• Adopted Parker-Gray Design Guidelines
  • Chimneys + Flues
  • Fences, Gates + Walls
  • Skylights
  • Solar Energy Systems
  • Stoops, Steps + Railings
  • Windows + Shutters
  • Roofing
  • Siding + Trim
  • Masonry
     

All applications should be submitted via the City's online APEX permitting system. Please note that in addition to completing the fillable form in APEX, you must also upload the relevant application form found below.

• 2025 Board of Architectural Review Hearing Schedule (OHAD; Parker-Gray Districts)
• 2024 Board of Architectural Review Hearing Schedule (OHAD; Parker-Gray Districts)
• Instructions for submitting a BAR application in APEX

Applications

• BAR Full Hearing Application for Certificate of Appropriateness, Permit to Demolish, Waivers, or Concept Review 
  • Please note: While Certificate of Appropriateness and Permit to Demolish utilize the same application, an applicant must submit two separate applications in APEX for each action if requesting both.
• BAR Administrative (Staff) Approval
• BAR Administrative (Staff) Approval of Signs
• Floor Area Ratio and Open Space Calculation Form
• BAR Appeal Application
• BAR Minor Amendment Application

Other Links

• BAR Concept Review Policy  
• Fee Schedule

Preservation staff can be reached by emailing Preservation@alexandriava.gov or calling 703.746.3833.

1. How many historic districts are in Alexandria?
   Alexandria has seven National Register Historic Districts: Fairlington, Old and Historic Alexandria, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Uptown/Parker-Gray, Parkfairfax, Rosemont, and Town of Potomac. Only two of these historic districts are local historic districts regulated by the City through the Board of Architectural Review: Old and Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray. Additionally, buildings designated by City Council ordinance as One Hundred-Year-Old Buildings are regulated by the Board of Architectural Review. Further information on all three can be found on this page.
2. How can I find out if my property is within a historic district or designated as a One Hundred-Year-Old-Building?
   Refer to the Historic Preservation Map viewer. Preservation staff can also assist you in determining if your location is within one of the city’s local historic districts or designated as a One Hundred-Year-Old Building. National Register districts are not regulated by the Historic Preservation department. To understand the difference between a National Register district and a local historic district, please refer to this document.
3. Is Board of Architectural Review approval required for my project? 
   A Certificate of Appropriateness issued by the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) or by Preservation staff is required for all new construction and exterior alterations to structures that are within a local historic district and are visible from a public right of way. A Permit to Demolish is required for all demolition or capsulation of over 25 square feet of material, regardless of visibility. Interior work does not require BAR approval. To determine if your project requires BAR approval, refer to the “Design Guidelines and Policies" section of our website or contact Preservation staff. Some alterations may be approved administratively by staff. See FAQ #7 below. 
4. What is the Board of Architectural Review and what actions does it take?
   The BAR is a seven-member committee appointed by City Council and empowered to regulate changes that affect exteriors of structures in the locally regulated historic districts. When an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness or a Permit to Demolish is reviewed by the BAR at a public hearing, the Board may approve the application as submitted, approve the application with changes, deny the application, or defer the application for restudy (if requested by the applicant). In the rare cases where the Board denies an application, the same case cannot be heard again by the Board for a period of one year.
5. Who serves on the Board of Architectural Review?
   The Board members are residents of Alexandria who are appointed by City Council. Any interested party may apply to serve on the Board. Two of the seven Board members must be architects. Each Board member serves a 3-year term. After the term expires, the member must reapply to the Board. Board vacancies are advertised through the City's eNews service.
6. When and where does the Board of Architectural Review meet? How long does the approval process take? 
   The Board of Architectural Review holds public hearings on the first and third Wednesday of every month (except August) in City Hall Council Chambers to review applications and determine appropriateness. Hearing schedules, deadlines, and filing fees for applications can be found on website under the "How to Submit an Application to the Board of Architectural Review" section of our website. Applications must be in and complete a minimum of 30 days prior to the hearing date. Although the use of professional designers is not required, drawings must accurately portray the project.
7. Can I get an administrative Certificate of Appropriateness instead of going to a full Board of Architectural Review public hearing? 
   Yes, many projects can be approved administratively by Preservation staff. To see if your project qualifies for administrative approval, refer to the “Design Guidelines and Policies” section of our website or contact staff. Application instructions and fees can be found under the "How to Submit an Application to the Board of Architectural Review" section of our website. If all required documents are submitted, the administrative approval process normally takes less than 5 business days. Note that some applications may also be reviewed by Zoning, which can affect the review timeline.
8. What is the Board of Architectural Review looking for in a project?
   Generally the Board is looking for projects which are sensitive to the historic character of the building and its surroundings, use traditional building materials, and comply with the recommendations of the Design Guidelines and other approved policies.
9. Do I need to attend my Board of Architectural Review public hearing? 
   You (the applicant) or your representative should attend the public hearing on your project. While the Board can approve or deny an application without the applicant being present, a deferral cannot be requested. If you decide to send a representative to attend the hearing for you, make sure that the individual is familiar with the case and is able to make decisions for you. 
10. Before attending the public hearing, do I need to provide notice to neighbors in my historic district? 
    Yes, you are responsible for sending out written notice to the adjacent property owners. Neighbors will be able to access the final docket with the application materials and provide public comments in advance of the hearing date. More information on this requirement can be found on the BAR Full Hearing Application form. If you have questions about public notice requirements, please call Planning & Zoning at 703.746.4666 and ask to speak to the Boards and Commissions Unit. 
11. How do I find the docket for an upcoming Board of Architectural Review hearing?
    Refer to the City Dockets & Webcasts page. The final docket for BAR public hearings is typically posted by 5 pm on the Friday before the hearing date. The docket will have the agenda for the hearing with a link to the staff report for each case. 

12. How can members of the public submit comments on an application to the Board of Architectural Review? 
    The primary way to provide comments is to speak at the public hearing. Following the applicant’s presentation, the BAR Chair will open the discussion to the public. Another option is to provide written comments to the Board. Letters and/or emails can be submitted to Preservation staff. To be included in the final docket, letters must be received by 5 pm on the Thursday prior to the public hearing. After the final docket with staff reports is published, any comments received will be sent by staff to the Board members. 

13. What should I expect at a Board of Architectural Review public hearing?
    After staff has announced your case, the BAR Chair will first ask you to state your name and address, and then ask if you would like to make a presentation or answer questions. You are not required to make a formal presentation. It is highly recommended that you read and become familiar with the recommendations in the staff report prior to the discussion of your case. Staff reports are typically available online by 5 pm on the Friday prior to the public hearing on the City Dockets & Webcasts page. Additional hard copies are available outside of Council chambers at the public hearing.
14. How do I appeal a decision of the Board of Architectural Review?
    Appeals to City Council must be filed within 14 days of the BAR decision. The application, along with a filing fee, must be submitted to the City Clerk’s office. A decision by the BAR may be appealed by the applicant or by 25 property owners within the corresponding historic district.

• Board of Architectural Review
  • Board of Architectural Review Annual Report
  • Board of Architectural Review Meeting Videos and Docket Materials
  • Annual Letter to Property Owners (2024)
• Plaquing Program
• Art Deco & Streamline Moderne Buildings in Del Ray
• Del Ray Neighborhood Residential Pattern Book 
• National Register compared with Local Historic District
• National Register of Historic Places Information
• Equity in Preservation Panel Discussion

• Virginia Department of Historic Resources 
• Virginia Department of Historic Resources: Federal and State Rehabilitation Tax Credits
• National Register and Virginia Landmarks Register Listings in Alexandria

• National Park Service 
  • National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund
  • National Park Service Historic Preservation Briefs 
• National Preservation Institute 
• National Trust for Historic Preservation 
• National Register of Historic Places Information